Improvement in toy building-blocks



C. 4M. CRANDA LIL. Tuy-Buildingy Blocks.

Patented Jan. 27,187

f This ornamented paper may be made to ad- UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.`

CHARLES M. CRANDALL, OF MONTROSE, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN TOY BUILDING-BLOCKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 146,875', dated January 27, 1874 application filed November 10, 1873.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES M. CRAN- DALL, of Montrose, in the county of Susquehanna and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Toy Blocks; and that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being1 had to the accomliauying` drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon, ni aking' a part of this specification.

This invention is in the nature of an inlprovement in childrens toy blocks; and the invention consists in toy blocks constructed in the manner hereinafter described, as a new article of manufacture.

In the aceompanyin g sheet of drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of said blocks.

My blocks A may be constructed of any suitable material, and may be cubical, or of any desired form and size. The block proper having been fashioned by suitable machinery to the desired form, its surface is covered with paper, upon which has been printed or otherwise produced a picture or letter, B, or both.

here to the block A by glue or by any other cement or adhesive subst-ance. Then, having prepared and at hand a quantity of pure paraffine in a melted state, I dip into the paraffine or otherwise apply a thin coating of it to the surface ofthe blocks. As soon as the paraiine begins to congeal, or at any time thereafter, by any suitable instrument, I scrape o' or remove the surplus parafne from the surface of the blocks, and then rub the said surface with a polisher.

My blocks, constructed as above, have a durable and beautifully-polished surface, that is im pervious to moisture, and any colors that may have been printed or otherwise placed upon the paper surface are fixed and rendered permanent, their brilliancy being greatly increased. Besides, the paper is rendered transparent, so that its texture is not seen, the surface of the block appearing as though the ornamentation had been placed directly upon the surface of the wood, the paper not being visible. Also, the surface is made harmless to the taste, and has no unpleasant odor.

For childrens toys, which, when in use, a child is often disposed to put in its mouth, or otherwise expose to the action of moisture, the process is very valuable.

Having` thus 'described my invention, wh at I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

As a new article of manufacture, toy blocks, covered with paper, havingfalphabetic or other figures marked thereon, rendered water-proof by means of parafrine, and polished substantially as herein set forth.

CHARLES M. CRANDALL.

Witnesses:

J oHN H. BAcKUs, B. L. BALDWIN. 

